Buckinghamshire New University has announced it will neither invest in fossil fuels, nor companies which do, in a declaration developed by the National Union of Students and People & Planet, the student network campaigning for social and environmental justice.

The University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebecca Bunting signed the Fossil Fuel Declaration to confirm their fossil-free status and intention to remain so.

“We want to protect the future of all our students,” she said. “At Bucks New University we are proud to work for the public good and to help the environment and we are extremely pleased to add our signature to this important pledge.

“The signing of this declaration embodies the conscious attitude of young people thinking about the future of our planet.”

“As an anchor institution in the region, we recognise the importance of taking a step back from investing in an industry which has five times more reserves than it is safe to burn within the parameters of 1.5 and 2 degrees of global warming.”

Bucks New University has joined universities including Anglia Ruskin and York St John in signing the declaration.

Bucks Students’ Union said: “The Students’ Union think the University has taken a positive step forward in supporting a sustainable future for society.

“Through all of our green projects throughout this year, the signing of this declaration embodies the conscious attitude of young people thinking about the future of our planet.”